Dr. Karen Nyberg is an engineer, astronaut, and artist who, through nearly thirty years of experience in human spaceflight, has gained an appreciation for the value of working within and across diverse political ideologies, cultural values, and world views to advance critical missions.
In this episode of Casual Space, Beth and Karen delve into Karen's journey from learning how to sew by her mother, to creating art inspired by her space missions. Karen discusses her love for quilting, which she began during graduate school, and how the breathtaking views from the space station influenced her artwork. She recounts her interactions with fellow astronaut-artist Alan Bean and the challenges of finding creative time in space and making a special dinosaur quilt for her son. Additionally, Karen shares her experiences with space food, her fabric design work, and her passion for trail running. The episode provides a glimpse into how Karen balanced her professional duties with her artistic pursuits and personal life, both on Earth and in orbit.
Check out Karen’s artwork and more: https://karennyberg.com/
About Karen:
Karen was selected as a member of the NASA Astronaut Corps in 2000. She made her first trip to space aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 2008, during the height of International Space Station (ISS) construction, delivering and installing the Japanese Laboratory. On her second spaceflight in 2013, Karen launched on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft and lived and worked at ISS for 166 days.
Prior to astronaut selection, Karen worked as an Environmental Control Systems Engineer at the Johnson Space Center where she led several design and analysis initiatives in the areas of space vehicle and space suit thermal and environmental control. Recently retired from NASA, Karen is currently pursuing interests in the areas of conservation and sustainability, fully appreciating the responsibility for innovation and technology to strive to meet those needs.
Karen received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Dakota and graduate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and has been honored with the highest alumni award from each alma mater.
Karen lives in Park City, Utah with her husband, Astronaut Doug Hurley, their son, Jack, and two sweet dogs, Leo and Luke.
226: Congratulations, Explorers!
225: Open Your Binder and Work the Crisis. Featuring Communications Expert Sean Wilson
224: You’re Never Too Old to Chase Your Dreams- Just Ask Danny Jaques
223: How to Live an Outer Space Lifestyle with Dr. Kirby Runyon
222: Lisa, Karly, and the 40th Anniversary of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
221: Maritime Launch and Mission 03 with Stephen Matier
220: Get Ready for the Solar Eclipse with Astronomer & Artist Tyler Nordgren
219: Dr. Maureen Gibbons
218: Agricultural and Environmental Scientist and Former Space Settlement Skeptic Turned Space Inventor Daniel Tompkins
217: A City on Mars with Kelly and Zach Weinersmith
215: Space Solar Power with Author and Physicist John Mankins
214: Space Bites with NASA Food Scientist Vickie Kloeris
213: Jan Spacek - Searching for Life in the Universe
212: Snow, School and Stargazing with John Read
221: UFO Culture with Author Sarah Scoles
210: Virgin Galactic Astronaut and Space Educator Ron Rosano
209: Discussing Science and the Future with Isaac Arthur
208: Two Generations in Flight with NASA Astronaut Dr. Jan Davis
207: Laura Crabtree from Epsilon3
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